Pattaya (Thai: พัทยา) is a bustling resort city in Thailand. Located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya City is renowned as one of the best beach resorts in Southeast Asia and attracts millions of holidaymakers from around the world. Although the resort city is mostly famous for its hot nightlife with plenty of go-go and beer bars, Pattaya is striving to become a family-oriented seaside destination. Local authorities have made significant efforts to provide more family-friendly attractions and activities. Nowadays the beach resort boasts some of the most beautiful amusement water-parks, tiger-zoo, themed and botanic parks all over Thailand. Pattaya also offers a wide range of shopping opportunities to choose from, with a varied list of malls, outlets, markets, shops, stalls, night bazaars and even a floating market. The myriad of affordable hotels and guesthouses, as well as easy access from the Bangkok and its airports, also make it a popular weekend getaway for local families. However, the sex industry is still going strong and sex tourism remains the main source of income for Pattaya. Ultimately this chaotic and noisy resort city is recommended to tourists who want a beach holiday without giving up the pleasures of shopping and nightlife. The main area of the city can be roughly divided into three main beachfront: Naklua Bay, Pattaya Bay and Jomtien. Pattaya Beach is divided into three sections: North Pattaya (Pattaya Nuea), Central Pattaya (Pattaya Klang) and South Pattaya (Pattaya Tai). Pattaya Beach is parallel to the city centre, and runs from Pattaya Nuea south to Walking Street. Pattaya's downtown area is easy to get around. Running north-south, a few hundred metres apart, are Beach Road (Thanon Hat Pattaya) which borders the main beach (Hat Pattaya), Pattaya Second Road and Pattaya Third Road, with the smaller but busy Soi Buakhao in between, and the main Sukhumvit Road coastal highway. Beach Road is one-way (southbound), likewise Second Road (northbound). These are connected by the three major east-west aligned roads: North Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Nuea), Central Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Klang) and South Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Tai). North Pattaya Road is a dual carriageway and carries the highest volume of traffic to and from Sukhumvit Road. Also connecting Beach Road and Second Road are a large number of smaller streets or "sois". The main sois are numbered from 1 to 16, from north to south. Sois 1-6 are between North Pattaya Road and Central Pattaya Road; sois 7-13 are between Central Pattaya Road and South Pattaya Road, including the "Pattayaland" sois, immediately north of South Pattaya Road; sois 14-16 are south of South Pattaya Road. Most of these east-west sois are one-way. Along Beach Road and the small sois are plenty of hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and bars. Beach Road south of South Pattaya Road is closed to vehicles in the evenings. Called Walking Street is one of the main tourist areas, both for nightlife and shopping. Other major tourism areas include the section of Second Road between sois 1-4, and the sois immediately north of South Pattaya Road. Naklua Bay is immediately north of North Pattaya. Naklua is popular with visitors whose native language is German. In terms of tourism-related locations, it's the smallest and least significant sub-district, the main attractions being the beaches, which are quieter than Pattaya Beach, and the Sanctuary of Truth. Pratumnak Hill is on the south side of Pattaya and is popular for its viewpoints and the Wat Phra Yai on its top. Pattaya Park and Pattaya tower are at the south end of Pratumnak Hill. In recent years, Pratumnak has gained in popularity because of its more natural environment, nicer beaches, and its convenient location between Jomtien and Pattaya City. Jomtien is divided from Pattaya by Thepprasit Road, the southern route into Pattaya City. It consists of high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, bungalow complexes, shops, bars, and restaurants. The beaches of Jomtien are much broader and generally in a better shape, and the atmosphere locally is more sedate and family-oriented than at Pattaya Beach.Read More
Pattaya's name was originally "Thap Phraya", meaning Army of the Phraya, and commemorating the surrender of Nai Klom's army to that of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin the Great), without a fight. When his army arrived in the vicinity of what is now Pattaya, Phraya Tak encountered the troops of a local leader named Nai Klom, who tried to intercept him. When the two met face to face, Nai Klom was impressed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline. He surrendered without a fight and joined his forces. Later Thap Phraya evolved into Phatthaya, the name of the wind blowing from southwest to northeast at the beginning of the rainy season. Pattaya was a fishing village until the 1960s. Then, during the Vietnam War, some American servicemen stationed at nearby U-Tapao or other US bases in Thailand began visiting Pattaya. Despite their short stay, the soldiers had a great time and raved about the place. The word spread among other American soldiers stationed in the region and Pattaya quickly became a hot alternative to Bangkok.
Located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 kilometres south-east of Bangkok, Pattaya is within, but not part of, Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi. Pattaya City is a self-governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Naklua and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. Pattaya's coastal side is divided longitudinally into five contiguous sub-districts (or six, if also including Jomtien). Each one is named after the section of beach or headland at its seaboard. North Pattaya sub-district (Pattaya Nuea) is not the northern-most part of Pattaya, as Naklua sub-district lies further north, but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the northern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of North Pattaya Road. Central Pattaya sub-district (Pattaya Klang) is not the dead center of Pattaya, but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the middle of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of Central Pattaya Road. South Pattaya sub-district (Pattaya Tai) is not the southern-most part of Pattaya, as the Buddha Hill headland and then Jomtien lie further south, but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the southern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of South Pattaya Road. It includes Pattayaland and Walking Street. Naklua is immediately north of North Pattaya. Naklua is popular with visitors whose native language is German. In terms of tourism-related locations, it's the smallest and least significant sub-district, the main attractions being the beaches, which are quieter than Pattaya Beach, and the Sanctuary of Truth. Buddha Hill (Pratumnak Hill) is named after the Buddha Hill landmark and sandwiched between South Pattaya, to the north, and Jomtien, to the south; to the east, South Pattaya and Jomtien meet directly. Jomtien is divided from Pattaya by Thepprasit Road, the southern route into Pattaya city. It consists of high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, bungalow complexes, shops, bars, and restaurants. The city (mueang) had 320,262 people resident and counted on census 2010. Pattaya additionally has massive population inflow from short stay tourism, with its 2000 hotels and 136,000 rooms available as of 2015. Due to the tourist industry, many people from the north-east (known as Isan) have come to work in Pattaya, and are counted for census purposes in their hometowns.
Pattaya has a tropical monsoon climate featuring three seasons: the Cold Season, The Hot Season and the Rainy Season. However, due to its proximity to the equator, the climate as a whole is warm and humid throughout the year and there is little variation in temperatures. The Cold Season is relatively cool dry period that runs from mid-November to February when the monsoon blows northwest. The average temperature in this period range between 27° C and 31° C in the day and between 16° C and 23° C at night. As a result, these are considered the most suitable months to visit Pattaya. The Hot Season starts in March until mid-May with occasional rain. The average temperature in this period range between 29° C and 36° C in the day and between 26° C and 29° C at night. At times there can be temperature peaks even higher than 40° C. The temperature usually hits its highest point in mid-April. The Rainy Season runs from May until mid-November and is influenced by the southwest monsoon during which rainfall is more frequent and intense. However, as can be said for the term “cold season”, the term "rainy season" can be slightly misleading. While the rain during this season can be intense with furious storms and showers, they usually do not last more than a day. Sunny days are also not uncommon during this time as well. The average temperature during this time is between 28° C and 30° C with the humidity usually well over 70%.
Getting Around
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, IATA code UTP, is the public airport on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand serving Pattaya ...
Buses to Pattaya depart from all terminals in Bangkok. The most frequent departures are from Ekkamai, Eastern Terminal more close to Pattaya ...
The shared song-thaew service is possibly the cheapest way to get around Pattaya city. The service is available all around the seaside ...
Pattaya has introduced a local bus service on 3 routes around the city covering the main streets of Pattaya, Naklua and Jomtien. The three ...
Koh Larn is connected to mainland with a regular ferry service all year around, which leaves from Bali Hai Pier, at end of Walking Street ...
Pattaya boasts two railway stations located in the east side of Sukhumvit Highway. Both stations are managed and overseen by the State ...
Renting a car is one of best way to get around Pattaya and to explore the surrounding area in absolute freedom. In Pattaya downtown and ...
Motorbike rental shops are scattered practically everywhere around Pattaya City. Small rental shops are set at every corner of the busiest ...
Medical & Health : Hospital - Pharmacy - Insurance
With more than ten million visitors per year, it's no surprise that many tourists need health care in Pattaya. Fortunately, the standard of public hospitals in Pattaya Island is fairly good while the private clinics in Pattaya Town are really excellent. Pattaya Hospital and the International Hospital ...
Before embarking on a trip abroad is good practice to take out a medical insurance. Thai health facilities are not free and private ones have high costs, the risk of finding yourself without insurance coverage is not a good idea. Several companies offer a wide range of travel insurance ...
The Songkran Festival celebrates the beginning of the Thai New Year. It’s a traditional Buddhist festival and national holiday in Thailand ...
Loy Krathong is probably Thailand’s most interesting and fascinating festival. Celebrated nationwide, this popular festival symbolizes the ties ...
Yi Peng Lantern Festival, sometimes referred as "Yee Peng", is one of the most charming and symbolic events in Chiang Mai. Although several ...
Chinese New Year, also known as the "Spring Festival", is celebrated at the turn of the traditional Chinese calendar, which differs from ...
Calls placed from outside Thailand: You must first dial the Thailand country code +66 and drop off the first 0.
Emergency & Information
Ambulance and Rescue Call Center: 1554
Medical Emergency Call Center: 1719
Fire Call Center: 199
Police - General Call Center: 191 or 1669 (Emergency hotline)
Tourist Police Call Center: 1155
Pattaya Tourist Assistance Hotline: 1337 (multiple languages, 24h service)
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) 038 429 113, Hotline 1672
Tourist Police
Tourist Police Pattaya: 038 429 371 or 1155 (national hotline)
Pattaya Immigration Office
Address: Jomtien Beach Road, Soi 5 - Tel: 038 252 751, Hotline 1178
Hospital & Health Care
Pattaya Memorial Hospital - Address: Pattaya Klang Tel: 038 429 422/4
Banglamung Hospital - Address: Naklua Tel: 038 429 244/5
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital - Address: Sukhumvit Road, North Pattaya Tel: 038 259 999
Pattaya International Hospital - Address: Pattaya Soi 4 Tel: 038 428 374/5
Police Stations
Address: Pattaya Beach Road, Soi 9 Tel: 038 420 802/5 or 191
Address: Banglamung Police Station Tel: 038 221 800/1 or 191
Address: Dongtan Police Box (Jomtien) Tel: 038 232 330/1 or 191
Highway Police Tel: 038-425 440 or 1193
Marine Police Tel: 038 423 666
Sea Rescue Tel: 038 488 134
Fire Brigade Naklua Tel: 038 221 000, 038 221 666 or 199
Fire Brigade Pattaya Tel: 038 425 943, 038 424 678 or 199
Sawang Boriboon Rescue Service Tel: 038 222 474
Other Useful Phone Numbers
Pattaya Post Office: 038 429 341
Jomtien Post Office: 038 231 944
Banglamung Post Office: 038 428 225
Pattaya City Hall: 038 253 100
Pattaya Land Office: 038 423 160
Pattaya Electricity: 038 426 463, Emergency Hotline 1129
Pattaya Water Works: 038 222 462/5
Pattaya Railway Station : 038 429 285
Pattaya Health Department: 038 420 823
Bus Station ( Buses To Bangkok): 038 429877
Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Call Center: 02 132 1888
Departures: 02 132 9324/27
Arrivals: 02 132 9328/29
Don Mueang International Airport
Call Center: Tel. 02 535 1192
U-Tapao International Airport
Call Center: 038 245 595